Bucks County kicks off holiday season

By buckslocalnews.com

Saturday, November 24, 2012

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. – The holiday celebrations continue in Bucks County with a tree lighting ceremony in Newtown, the 50th Holiday House Tour in Newtown and parades in Yardley and Newtown. Here’s just a sampling of some of the events being planned during the coming few weeks to get you in the holiday spirit and shopping locally. Keep checking back as the list is updated.

This weekendHoliday Strings in Newtown - The Newtown Chamber Orchestra (NCO) will open its season on Nov. 25 beginning at 7 p.m. with “Holiday Strings” at the Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Newtown. The concert will honor Dr. Howard A. Leister, a Newtown family physician for 40 years who passed away on March 4. Born in Bristol, Dr. Leister graduated from Bensalem High School and from Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. He truly loved life, his family and living in Bucks County. He was a long time member and past president of the Newtown Rotary Club. Season ticket holders (three-concert series) receive a 10 percent discount on special event tickets and merchandise (adults $60, seniors $45). Individual concert tickets are adults, $25, and seniors, $20. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance through the website. Students and children-free admission. There will be open seating and complimentary refreshments at all concerts. For further information visit www.NewtownChamberOrchestra.org or call 215-267-4NCO (4626).

UpcomingClassical Christmas in Lower Makefield - St. Ignatius of Antioch Church in Yardley presents “A Classical Christmas” Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the church at 999 Reading Avenue, Yardley. “A Classical Christmas” is a Gafgen and Wayman concert event featuring singers that have toured the globe from Notre Dame Cathedral to The New York City Opera and beyond. The artists will be backed by a world-class orchestra conducted by Wilbur Wittemann of Lakewood, N.J. The orchestra is comprised of award-winning musicians from The Philadelphia Pops, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The New Jersey Symphony and the major theaters of Broadway and Atlantic City. The audience will enjoy favorite classical and pop holiday selections, arranged and orchestrated by internationally celebrated arrangers. The suggested donation is $25 for adults, $10 for children 6 to 16 and free to children under six. For ticket information, call 215-493-3377. Visa and MasterCard will be accepted at www.stignatiusyardley.org.

Holiday Magic in Newtown - The twinkle of the lights on the town Christmas tree will be matched by the twinkle in Santa’s eye Friday night, Nov. 30 as State Street kicks off its holiday festivities with the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Santa will arrive and light the tree, surrounded by happy faces, young and old. After the official tree lighting, he will take his seat in the Santa House, assembled by the Newtown Fire Association volunteers. Excited young children will sit on his lap and pose for their parents cameras, whispering their Christmas wishes in his ear. He will be present until about 8 p.m. The Santa House will also be open from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 8 and 9 and 15 and 16. State Street merchants and restaurants will hit full stride Friday, Dec. 7 with their annual Midnight Madness Sale. Beginning at 7 p.m., as the hour grows later, the madness increases. Participating merchants will have refreshments, special sales, draw-your-own discounts, and lots more. The State Street merchants are also running a Holiday Gift Giveaway. More than $2,000 in gifts donated by borough businesses will be given away, 10 winners in all. Shoppers are eligible to enter at participating businesses, designated by a sign in the window. The drawing will be Dec. 15.

Holiday House Tour - For the 50th year, the Newtown Historic Association invites the public to take a walk through some of the town’s private homes and public buildings during its 50th Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $25, which opens the doors to five private houses and several public buildings, including the beautifully restored 18th-century Half-Moon Inn. Inside the inn, home to the historic association, tour goers will enjoy period musical entertainment, hearthside colonial cooking demonstrations, mulled cider and cheese. Also open will be St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Newtown Fire Association Museum, the Newtown Borough Hall, the Stocking Works and the Newtown Library Company. Guests are encouraged to wear walking shoes since each location is reached easily by foot. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Newtown Book & Record Exchange, 102 S. State Street, and on-line at the association’s website, www.newtownhistoric.org. On the day of the tour, tickets can be purchased at the Half-Moon Inn, Court Street and Centre Avenue, and at the Stocking Works, 301 South State Street, Newtown. In the event of significant inclement weather, the tour will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2. No picture taking or high-heeled shoes will be permitted inside the houses. For information, call 215-968-4004 or visit the website.

Christmas Parade in Yardley - The Annual Yardley Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The parade will depart from the American Legion Post 317 on South Main Street and continue north on Main Street through the intersection at Afton Avenue and Main Street to the Friends Meetinghouse on North Main Street. Everyone’s favorite traditions will be included – string bands, George Washington, costumed characters, bagpipes, fire engines, Belgian draft horses and of course, Santa himself. The Pennsbury High School Marching Band will serve as Santa’s official parade escort. The Yardley Business Association (YBA), sponsor of the two events, is inviting local businesses and residents to be part of the parade with decorated cars, boats, floats, etc. To learn more about participating, contact the YBA at yba@yardleybusiness.com.

Newtown Holiday Parade – The 8th annual Newtown Holiday Parade steps off on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Presented this year by the Newtown Business Association, the parade promises to provide “a magical experience” for the entire community. More than 5,000 people are expected to watch the estimated 1,200 participants, including high school marching bands, Mummers, horse-drawn carriages, floats, antique cars, color guard, fire trucks, Santa and even some live animals. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and bring family and friends, blankets and chairs to watch the parade. The parade will begin on South State Street at the Stocking Works building and continue north on State Street, turn left onto Washington Avenue, then turn right onto Sycamore Street and come to an end at Durham Road (at the Green Parrot). Before and after the parade, many of the Newtown businesses will have special promotions so don’t leave town before grabbing a bite to eat or stocking up for the holidays. For additional information, visit www.NewtownBA.org.

Holiday shopping at the ‘farm’ - The 3rd Annual Local Farms Holiday Shopping Event takes place Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 2 to 8 p.m. inside the community room at the Northampton Township Free Library, 25 Upper Holland Road, Richboro. Shoppers can take home the spirit, textures and flavors of local farms for the holidays and shop for gifts and for the home from local farmers and producers. Shoppers are invited to bring market baskets and cloth totes. The event is presented by the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance and local farmers and producers who are working together to build a local, sustainable food supply in Bucks County. For information, visit www.BucksCountyFoodshedAlliance.org or call 215-598-3979.

Pennsbury Manor Holly Nights - Pennsbury Manor will continue its annual holiday tradition Dec. 6 and 7 with its “Holly Nights” celebration. Boasting activities for all ages, the two-night event will feature demonstrations of open hearth cooking, blacksmithing, joynery, beer brewing, and soap making by colonial craftspeople dressed in period clothing. Visitors to the 43-acre site will also be able to take a candlelit tour of the Manor House and take in a traditional “Mummer’s Play.” Throughout “Holly Nights,” which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. both evenings, holiday music from ensembles such as The Men of Harmony, Harmony Trio, Levittown Choraliers, Newtown Recorder Consort, Truman High School Holiday Ensemble, William Penn Middle School Chorus, Wing and a Prayer Brass Ensemble, Pennsbury High School Brass Ensemble, Bucks County Women’s Chorus, and the Pennsbury High School Falcon Strings. Admission to Holly Nights is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens 65 and older, $6 for children 3-11, and children under 3 are free. Free parking and hot-mulled cider are included with admission. For more information call 215-946-0400 or visit www.pennsburymanor.org. Individuals with disabilities who need special assistance should call in advance to discuss their needs.

Lunch With Santa in Fallsington - Fallsington United Methodist Church is hosting a lunch and photo with Santa on Dec. 8 at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $7 and includes lunch (hot dog, drink and dessert), an appearance by Suzie the Clown, face painting and a picture with and letter from Santa. Seating is by reservation only. Call 267-202-6815 for information and reservations.

Sounds of the Season in Pennsbury – The Pennsbury Community Chorus, conducted by James Moyer, presents “Sounds of the Season” featuring the PCC, guest orchestra, PHS Chamber Choir and the Ewing Presbyterian Church Bell Choir. The concert features works celebrating the season with “Magnifcat BWV 243” of Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert begins at 3 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Pennsbury High School West Campus (Keller Hall) at 608 South Olds Boulevard in Fairless Hills. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors (age 65 and older) and $6 for students with identification. Tickets are available at the door. For information, call 215-949-6780, ext. 70975.

Santa to visit Langhorne - Santa and his elves will visit Historic Langhorne Associatioin on Sunday, Dec. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 160 West Maple Ave.That evening, a Carol Sing-Along will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. For information, call 215-757-1888 or visit www.historiclanghorne.org.

A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys – The Mercer Museum kicks off the holiday season with its 2nd annual holiday exhibit, “Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys.” Under the Tree captures the excitement of Christmas from a child’s point of view and features trees decorated to the tastes of earlier eras, and toys and games that delighted children on Christmas mornings’ past. The exhibit will run from Dec. 1 to Jan 13. In addition to Under the Tree, the Mercer will also host a variety of holiday-themed programming throughout the month. Under the Tree: A Century of Holiday Trees and Toys will feature trees decorated with period ornaments and quality reproductions that show the evolution of this Christmas tradition from the 1860’s through the 1960’s. The exhibit draws from major private collections, and includes some of the most popular playthings of the Victorian Era through the post-World War II period. Toys on display include Disney and other character toys, tin, cast iron and diecast metal vehicles, various tin wind-ups and banks, circus toys, board games, Baby Boomer toys, educational playthings, puzzles and more. Under the Tree is included with museum admission. In conjunction with Under the Tree exhibit, the Mercer will hold a Victorian ornament making workshop on Tuesday, December 4 from 6:30-9 p.m. Participants will learn to make typical ornaments of the late Victorian Era using paper, fabric, confections, and die cut paper scraps. The workshop is $15 per person and $12 for youth. On Wednesday, Dec. 12, folklorist, Darcy Fair, will discuss the origins and history of some of the most popular holiday carols. Participants are encouraged to share their own holiday traditions, stories and memories. The program is $12 per person. To register for either of these holiday events, call 215-348-9461. Visitors will enjoy Santa, cider and song at the Mercer Museum’s annual free Holiday Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 7-9 p.m. A musical parade will escort St. Nick to the museum’s Log House, where he will listen to children’s wishes and give out special keepsake ornaments. Visitors will also sip hot cider, enjoy musical performances, sing along with carolers, participate in the “Burning of the Greens,” and enjoy more holiday entertainment across the street at the James A. Michener Art Museum. For a unique holiday gift and family heirloom, artist Blanche Turner will demonstrate the art of silhouette cutting on Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Single custom silhouettes are $20. To have a custom silhouette created, call the Mercer Museum Shop at 215-345-0210, ext. 130 to schedule a day and time.